Former Max Verstappen sponsor hit with prison sentence as appeal 'almost certain'

Former Jumbo CEO Frits van Eerd has been sentenced to two years in prison for money laundering. The Dutchman was the former general manager of the supermarket chain, which sponsored four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen for a decade until ties were severed in 2024.

Jumbo first got involved with Verstappen's career in between his glittering karting career and his Formula Three debut campaign, featuring on his firesuits and, later, as a partner of the Red Bull team. Van Eerd stepped down as the company's CEO 10 days after police and the Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Service (FIOD) raided his premises. Van Eerd has a history in motorsport, having first stepped behind the wheel in the Formula Ford 1800 Nederland series in 1999. In 2021, he won the LMP2 Prom/AM class of the World Endurance Championship, winning four races in the process.

However, Van Eerd has since been investigated by the Netherlands' authorities and was convicted of money laundering, bribery and forgery. He was handed a two-year prison sentence, which his lawyer, Robert Jonk, intends to appeal. The Public Prosecution Service had previously requested a two-year sentence with eight months of that suspended.

According to the judge, Van Eerd used his position as Jumbo's CEO to amass money and goods, and was associated with criminals wrapped up in serious drug offences. Furthermore, the stories from friends and family explaining the discoveries of unusual banknotes in his premises did not match.

During the three-day trial, which took place in Groningen, the judge heard two different accounts. According to the Public Prosecution Service, Van Eerd used Jumbo sponsorship money to pay for his own private purchases, including cars and bikes. Co-defendent Theo E allegedly delivered cash to the former CEO, and supplied the items.

For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express F1 newsletter, or join our WhatsApp community here.

Jumbo severed its ties with Verstappen in 2024. Since then, Verstappen has struggled to take the fight to McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and in 2025, his run of four successive Drivers' Championship titles looks set to come to an end.

Heading into the summer break, he trails World Championship leader Piastri by 97 points. When asked in Hungary, the Australian was finally happy to rule Verstappen out of the title race. "I suppose so," he said. "The last few weekends anyway, it's been Lando and I.

"I expect our competition to still be strong and put up a good fight, especially at certain tracks through the rest of the year. Whether that comes from Max, Ferrari or Mercedes or someone else maybe, we never really know. I'm not too concerned about what happens in that. I'm just trying to win each race and extend the lead. Clearly, Lando and I are in the same car, which is the best, and you know he's naturally going to be the close competition."